honorees

Bershan Shaw

Bershan Shaw is a transformational coach, motivational speaker, author, founder of URAWARRIOR.COM and two-time breast cancer survivor. Bershan has dedicated her life to helping others discover their inner warrior during life’s most difficult journeys. Bershan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, and it returning stage 4 in 2009, Bershan beat the odds with stage four breast cancer and Bershan is now nine years’ cancer free.

A driving force in Bershan’s life has been the unshakeable belief that she is meant to help others discover their own inner warrior. In 2011, she became a transformational speaker to women & men worldwide. She then started a unique social networking support site, URAWarrior.com designed to inspire others during the most difficult times in their lives. The site offers a safe and supportive place where they can find connection, comfort, inspiration, and above all, hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Bershan has spoken worldwide in places like Poland, Ghana, Rome, London and more to help leaders, women, CEO's and everyday people "Find their inner Warrior to Step into their Greatness." Bershan has also written a book, entitled “URAWARRIOR 365 Ways to Challenge You to a Better Life” to assist others on their journey toward healing and health. Bershan was also part of the "Love and the City" cast, a docu-series on the OWN network.

Bershan believes that beauty rises up from the ashes of pain and suffering, and wants to help others see possibility when all they see is pain and defeat.

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green is a physicist who specializes in targeted cancer therapeutics using nanotechnology and lasers. She has over 10 years of interdisciplinary research experience including five years of training at the Comprehensive Cancer Center and one year in Pathology at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green is one of the first 100 African American women to earn a Ph.D. in Physics. She is the 2nd African American woman and the 4th African American to receive a Ph.D. in Physics from UAB. Dr. Green completed her B.S. degree in Physics from AAMU. After serving two years at Tuskegee University, Dr. Green founded The Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation* (www.WeAreOraLee.org) and joined the faculty at Morehouse School of Medicine to pursue her dream to reduce the suffering of cancer patients and change the way cancer is treated.